Darius Rucker's 16th annual “Darius and Friends” benefit concert took place on Monday, June 2, at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, raising funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The sold-out event featured surprise performances by artists including Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan, Tyler Braden, Kashus Culpepper, Lanie Gardner, and Austin Williams. The concert has become a staple leading up to CMA Fest, with proceeds supporting St. Jude's mission to treat and defeat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Reflecting on his longstanding commitment to St. Jude, Rucker stated, “Every time I visit St. Jude, I’m blown away. You walk in expecting it to feel heavy, but there’s so much joy, so much hope.” He emphasized the hospital's policy that ensures families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food, allowing them to focus entirely on their child's recovery.
The evening began with a live auction, followed by Rucker performing his hits ‘Beers and Sunshine' and ‘Radio.' Austin Williams, set to tour with Rucker this fall, entertained the audience with his '90s Rap Mashup' and latest single, ‘Crazy Over You.' Kashus Culpepper delivered songs like ‘Southern Man' and a cover of The Marshall Tucker Band’s ‘Can’t You See,' earning a standing ovation. Lanie Gardner showcased tracks from her upcoming EP ‘Polaroids,' including ‘Takin’ The Slow Ride.'
Rucker interspersed guest performances with his own, delivering chart-toppers such as ‘Alright,' ‘For The First Time' and Hootie & the Blowfish classics like ‘Hold My Hand.”‘ He also covered '90s hits including Tim McGraw’s ‘I Like It, I Love It' and TLC’s ‘Waterfalls.'
Tyler Braden performed his Platinum-certified ‘Devil You Know' and a rendition of Kings of Leon’s ‘Sex on Fire.' Luke Bryan energised the crowd with ‘Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day' and ‘Play It Again' whilst Morgan Wallen surprised attendees with performances of '20 Cigarettes' and ‘More Than My Hometown,' marking a rare appearance in an intimate venue.
The night concluded with Rucker leading a singalong of ‘Wagon Wheel,' joined by Culpepper, Gardner, Williams, and the audience. This year's concert adds to the over $4.3 million raised to date for St. Jude through the “Darius and Friends” events. The benefit concert, supported by sponsors AMD and The Law Office of Jennifer McCoy, ensures that families can focus on their child's health without financial burden.
Darius and Friends' 2025 Set List:
Darius Rucker: “Tracks”
Darius Rucker: “Beers And Sunshine”
Darius Rucker: “Radio”
Austin Williams: “Crazy Over You”
Austin Williams: “90s Rap Mashup”
Darius Rucker: “The Birds Knew”
Darius Rucker: “For The First Time”
Kashus Culpepper: “Pour Me Out”
Kashus Culpepper: “Can’t You See”
Kashus Culpepper: “Southern Man”
Darius Rucker: “Alright”
Lanie Gardner: “Six Feet Deep”
Lanie Gardner: “Cry”
Lanie Gardner: “Takin’ The Slow Ride”
Darius Rucker: “Hold My Hand”
Darius Rucker: “I Like It, I Love It”
Darius Rucker: “Waterfalls”
Darius Rucker: “Poison”
Tyler Braden: “Right on Track”
Tyler Braden: “Sex on Fire”
Tyler Braden: “Devil You Know”
Darius Rucker: “Come Back Song”
Luke Bryan: “Country Song Came On”
Luke Bryan: “Play It Again”
Luke Bryan: “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day”
Darius Rucker: “Only Wanna Be With You”
Darius Rucker: “Homegrown Honey”
Morgan Wallen: “20 Cigarettes”
Morgan Wallen: “More Than My Hometown”
Darius Rucker: “Valerie”
Darius Rucker with Kashus Culpepper, Lanie Gardner and Austin Williams: “Wagon Wheel”
